Ryan's Journey to Better Eyesight

Ryan was able to get stem cell treatment in China in December of 2012. He didn't see changes in his vision while he was in China, but he has seen some changes since he's been home. Here are a few of the changes we've seen the past few months: He is able to sit a few feet back from the TV, and see the computer from farther away. He has also been noticing more details about things that he hasn't noticed before.

Ryan had another stem cell IV today--the second one. He gets a headache halfway through the IV, which is interesting. Maybe the stem cells are going to the brain. :) He also had the retro bulbar injection today in his left eye only--they will do the right eye Dec 17. They took him to the operating room and he said they put some sort of paste under his eye then they pulled down his lower eyelid and used a big long needle they pushed under his eye to do the injection. No pain killer. He sure was a brave fellow. I waited for him outside the operating room until they opened the big door and brought him back out. Ryan was so funny--he said he's always wanted to ride in a wheelchair and on a gurney. Today he did both. His eye aches, but is feeling better as the day goes on. He is supposed to wear sunglasses if he goes outdoors.

We have been talking with Peter, one of the coordinators, about going to China's largest wild animal safari tomorrow for a tour. He said we can even eat in a restaurant there with white tigers on the other side of the glass wall. That will be a cool thing to do for Ryan's birthday (December 8th--he'll be 13). Peter also said that Rita will probably order us a cake. They do it complimentary for patients if they have a birthday while they are here.

2nd stem cell IV treatment today Dec 7, 2012.

One hand has an IV but Ryan can still play games on the iPad one handed. :)

Dec 6 - They put small gauze pads with "Chinese medicine" on his eyes before they put on the eye mask, and they also attach a moist pad to his wrist with a clamp that is connected to the mask. Then they turn it on and adjust the voltage.

Dec 6 - Ryan has eye therapy most every day except Sunday and when he gets the retro bulbar injections. It's an electrical stimulation around the eye area. Ryan said it just feels warm.

They bring Ryan this small thermos of "Chinese medicine" to drink every day.

The "Chinese medicine" is like a really hot herbal tea. We pour it in another cup to cool and Ryan alternates sips of it with sips of another "good tasting" drink to wash it down.